The most dramatic moment in Star Jones Reynolds's Oscar weekend didn't come on the red carpet. Instead, it arrived just four hours after the E! channel presenter and her husband, Wall Street banker Al Reynolds, 34, had deplaned at LAX. The pair were having dinner with their very pregnant friend, actress Holly Robinson Peete. But just as Star, 42, dispatched her husband to the bar for a glass of champagne, "Holly said, 'Uh-uh, my water broke!' " recalls Star. "Al pulled off a tablecloth and wrapped it around Holly until the ambulance got there. That was about 11 p.m., and at 6:18 Friday morning, [Roman] was born."

Puts it all in perspective, doesn't it? Well, sure. But miracle of birth or not, Star's fab weekend of fashion suites and A-list parties was just beginning. And so what if she had to catch a red-eye back to New York after the show to do The View on Monday morning? Girl had a blast.

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Thursday
8.P.M. A surprise 40th-birthday party for Chris Rock at the restaurant Central. Guests: Oprah (above), Eddie Murphy, P. Diddy. Star: "I've known Chris since! was a D.A. in Brooklyn." 10 P.M. Ebony magazine party, where pal Holly Robinson Peete (left) goes into labor.

FRIDAY

11 A.M. A man rushes up, requesting an autograph. It's Usher (above). "Baby brother!" She laughs as they hug.

1:30 P.M. The final fitting for her antique gold tulle-and-chiffon grown. "You look gorgeous. " says designer Richard Tyler. "I've lost some more weight, " she says, beaming.

2:19 P.M. The so-called Black Oscars bash, then a party for Regina King.

SATURDAY

Rest/recovery day starting with pedicure/manicure.

2:20 P.M. Red-carpet rehealsal at the Kodak. A journalist asks if she's nervouse. "I'm never nervous. "But she she is a bit tired.

6:15 P.M. Skips a planned dinner at Mr. Chow and dows a Johny Rockets hamburger with mustard and onions. Then bed. "The Energizer Bunny ran out of energy."

SUNDAY

10 A.M. Hair and makeup. The crowing touch: a $156,000 band of cognac diamonds borrowed from Chopard, along with a $416,000 necklace and earrings set from Autore.

1:30 P.M. AI prays with her.

2:25 P.M. Bring on the celebs!(Note the one budget item:$19.99 shoes she designs for Payless.)

5 P.M. When the preshow wraps, it's off to the Elton John party to watch he show. (She'll hit the Vanity Fair party too.)

11:30 P.M. Time to go. "My friends at the TSA like to see my gown, so I wear it through[airport] security, then change into sweats in the Admiral's Club."